Book chronicling UH West Oʻahu's first 40 years on sale at LCC book store

The University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu: The First Forty Years 1966 – 2006

A new book chronicling the history of the University of Hawai‘i–West Oʻahu from the time of its support by legislative action in 1966, through the years of growth and transition that followed up until 2006, was recently published by former UH West O‘ahu and UH Hilo Chancellor Edward J. Kormondy. The book is now on sale at the Leeward Community College book store.

The University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu: The First Forty Years 1966 – 2006 is a personalized history of the University that discusses the events leading up to the start of classes in 1976 for what was then known as West O‘ahu College. Readers will be interested to learn that classes first took place in local area high school facilities with 75 students. The eventual move to leased quarters in Aiea’s Newtown Square later that same year was the first of a series of moves until the University found its eventual home adjacent to Leeward Community College. With construction of the new permanent UH West O‘ahu campus in Kapolei now underway, the author challenges future historians to document the next phase in the University’s history.

“Dr. Kormondy has done a great job researching our first 40 years,” said Gene I. Awakuni, UH West O‘ahu chancellor. “I especially enjoyed the quotes from many of the faculty and staff that worked with us over the years. My thanks to Ed for telling our story through 2006.”

The University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu: The First Forty Years 1966 – 2006 was published by University of Hawai‘i Press.

Author Dr. Edward J. Kormondy was the chancellor of the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu from 1986 – 1993, simultaneously holding the same position at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. At the West O‘ahu campus, he succeeded two chancellors, Dr. Richard Kosaki and Dr. Ralph Miwa.

About UH West O‘ahu

UH West O‘ahu became a four-year, regional comprehensive university when it served its first class of freshmen in fall 2007. The University offers quality education, small classes and personalized attention at convenient locations. Construction began in August 2010 on the first phase of a new, state-of-the-art UH West O‘ahu campus in the City of Kapolei. It is expected to serve approximately 2,000 students for fall 2012 classes. For more information, visit uhwo.hawaii.edu, twitter.com/uhwestoahu, facebook.com/uhwestoahu or call 454-4700 or toll-free (866) 299-8656.